Studying for exams

Research has shown that success in exams depends on physical as well as intellectual fitness, and while there is no substitute for studying, keeping yourself in good physical shape will help you to make the most of what you've learned. The following advice will enable you to perform at your best at exam time.

Exercise

Many people believe that there are two kinds of student: the fit, sun-tanned type with bulging muscles and a low IQ, and the weak, pasty academics, who wear thick glasses and pass all their exams. The implication is that students are either intellectual or physical, which is not in fact the case. Recent studies have found that students who take regular exercise generally do better at school than those who don't. For example, twenty minutes of aerobic exercise will immediately bring about:

• an improved performance in IQ tests

• a reduction in stress

• improved levels of alertness and concentration

• faster, clearer, more creative thinking

• an improvement in your memory.

So, try to do some aerobic exercise at least three times a week. But remember, as exercise peps you up, it's better not to do it near bedtime. It could cause insomnia. And on the exam day, exercise before your exam starts, preferably outdoors.

Body clocks and sleep

Our bodies and minds are programmed to run to a particular schedule and our mental and physical abilities change dramatically during a day. For example, concentration, memory and the ability to work with our hands, all reach a peak in the afternoon, and fall to a low in the middle of the night. Our body clocks are set and kept in sync by daylight which also keeps us alert. Confusing your body clock will make you less alert and less effective. Lack of sleep will not stop a surgeon from operating successfully or a pilot from landing a jet, but it will affect a student's ability to read a book and remember things well.

Some points to remember

• If you have to get someone to wake you up every morning, you are not getting enough sleep.

• You should sleep at regular times so as not to confuse your body clock.

• You must get enough daylight. Study in a well-lit room, preferably near a window.

• The best times to study are between 9.00 and 12.00 noon, and then late afternoon between 4.00 and 6.00.

• The worst times are after lunch, because your body clock goes into a dip between 1.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m., and also late at night. You may think you are more creative after 11.00 p.m., but remember that most exams take place during the day. Studying late at night will disrupt your body clock.

• A short nap during the afternoon will help you study and could result in an improved performance – just make sure you don't fall asleep during your exam.

Final points

■ Don't study more than four or five hours a day on top of your school or other work.

■ Whatever you tell yourself or other people, studying with the TV or radio on adversely affects your ability to absorb what you're trying to learn. The same goes for any background music which competes for your attention. Choose music you find pleasant, not incredible.

■ Study with a friend-it helps you to feel you aren't suffering alone.

Text 10. Read the texts.

“INTRODUCING YOURSELF”

Let me introduce myself. My name is Shevzova Olga. I am a distant student. I study at BNTU. I am a second year student of International Institute of Distant Education.

I was born in Grodno on March 25th, 1991. Now I live and work in Grodno but study in Minsk. I am married but I don’t have children. I work as a secretary for a small company. I work in a modern well-equipped office. I’m very busy during my working day. I work at the computer a lot. I write e-mails to our customers, type documents, answer phone calls, meet our clients and help my boss with documents.

I hope to become a manager in 3 years. I study a lot because I want to be a qualified specialist. I read a lot. As I am a distant student, I also send e-mails to my teachers if I have questions. It’s very convenient. I have classes four times a year. Twice a year at the end of the term I take exams and get credits. It is quite difficult but very interesting to study at the university.

I’d like to introduce myself. My full name is Toronzev Dmitry Sergeevich. I am a full-time student. I study at BNTU. I’m a first-year student. I was born in Minsk on January 18th, 1994. I live with my parents in Minsk. I don’t work because I’m very busy. I have lectures and seminars every day. After classes I go to the reading hall. After graduating from the university I hope to become an economist. I’d like to work for a large company in Minsk.

Ex. 1. Write your profile. Underline the suitable words and fill in the gaps to make sentences about yourself. If necessary make some sentences negative.

Let me introduce myself. My full name is … . I am a distant student. I study at BNTU. I am a first/second year student of International Institute of Distant Education.

I was born in … in 19.. . Now I live and work in … but study in Minsk. I am married/single but/and I don’t have/have children. I work as a … for a small/big … . I work in a modern well-equipped office. I’m/am not very busy during my working day. I work/don’t work at the computer a lot. I write emails to our customers, type documents, answer phone calls, meet our clients and help my boss with documents.

I hope to become a manager/an economist/a programmer in 3 years. I study a lot because I want to be a qualified specialist. I read a lot. As I am a distant student I also send emails to my teachers if I have questions. It’s very convenient. I have classes four times a year. Twice a year at the end of the term I take exams and get credits. It is quite difficult but very interesting to study at university.

Ex. 2 Read the dialogue in pairs. Role-play your own dialogue.

- Hello. Can you introduce yourself?

- Yes, sure. My name’s Alexander.

- Would you tell me your full name, please?

- Alexander is my first name and my surname is Kravtsov.

- And what’s your middle name?

- It’s Ivanovich. So my full name is Kravtsov Alexander Ivanovich.

- Are you single or married?

- I’m married and I have two children.

- So, you have a family. But as far as I know you are a student.

- Yes, I am.

- Are you a full-time student or a correspondence student?

- I’m a distant student. And I study in Minsk.

- What’s your job?

- I work as a manager. I’m a sales manager.

- What company do you work for?

- I work for a large trade company in Grodno.

- Is it possible to work and study simultaneously?

- Yes. You know it’s a great advantage to be a distant student.

Text 11. Read the e-mail. Write a similar e-mail about yourself.

From: Alessandra [alessandra@andes.com.ar]

To: Daniel [dani2199@yahoo.com] Subject: Hi from Argentina Hi, Daniel! My name’s Alessandra. It’s an Italian name because my grandma was from Italy, but I’m Argentinean and I live in Mendoza. I live with my parents and my two brothers. I am 19 years old. I study at University. I study computer science. I’m a first year student. I am not a full-time student. I’m a distant student. I work part-time as a secretary for a large computer company. There are 20 students in my class and some of them aren’t from Argentina. They are from Italy and two students are from England. I speak English to them. The teachers are excellent. They are very friendly and patient. The university is very big. There are a lot of buildings. All the classrooms are well-equipped. I’m going to tell you about myself. As you can see from the photo, I have long hair and green eyes. I wear glasses. I think I’m a positive person. I’m quite extrovert and friendly. I spend a lot of time with my friends. In the evening I usually surf the Internet. I write e-mails to my friends and look for information I need for my studies.